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Introducing Poland

Poland Travel Guide

Ever since joining the European Union in 2004, Poland has been
undergoing a true tourism renaissance, as more and more visitors
are seeking out the rich history and undeniable character of this
troubled but resilient nation. There is much to see and do in
modern-day Poland, with most visitors will start in the capital
Warsaw, where the beautiful Old
Town district has been rebuilt brick by brick in a telling show of
Polish moxie. From Warsaw, many travellers make the four-hour train
journey to Krakow, by far and away Poland's most popular tourist
destination.

Poland's cultural capital, Krakow, is an exciting, cosmopolitan
city, boasting a remarkably well-preserved medieval centre and
several key cultural sites, such as the famous Wawel Hill, where
the Royal Palace and the Gothic Wawel Cathedral can be found. The
historic port-city of Gdansk -
where Lech Walesa and his Solidarity trade union first rose to
oppose Poland's Communist government in 1980 - is also a popular
destination, featuring a sympathetically restored Old Quarter and
several fashionable restaurants and cafes.

Most visitors to Poland do not venture too far into the
countryside - which is a shame, because the country is home to some
excellent scenery and walking and hiking trails. The southern
Bieszczady Mountains are
particularly beautiful, featuring tall forests and rural houses
that seem to have been lifted straight from Grimm's Fairy Tales;
while the Bialowieza National Park
is a UNESCO-protected area that guards the last remnants of the
primeval forest that used to cover most of Europe. Poland is also a
great (and surprising) choice for an affordable European beach
holiday, with the charming seaside town of Sopot offering cut-price fun in the sun on
the Baltic Coast.

Best time to visit Poland

Poland's climate is moderate, with continental influences from
the east and maritime influences from the west. The weather in
Poland is highly changeable, with great inconsistency from year to
year (and even from day to day in some seasons). There are,
however, four distinct seasons, and spring and summer are usually
lovely in Poland. The best time to visit Poland is during these
warmer months, from May to October, with the peak tourist season in
July and August. Be warned that many Poles take their annual leave
at this time, and so tourist hotspots like Krakow and Sopot can be
overcrowded in the height of summer. Read more on Poland's Climate and
Weather.

What to see in Poland

-Warsaw's Old Town (Starego
Miasta) area has been lovingly and painstakingly rebuilt after the
destruction of WWII.

-The port city of Gdansk
features some of the loveliest cityscapes in all of central
Europe.

-A trip to the Wieliczka Salt
Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must for visitors to
Poland.

What to do in Poland

-Head to the cosmopolitan city of Krakow, and take in a show at
the famous Piwnica pod Baranami underground cabaret house.

-Tour the Holocaust memorial sites of Auschwitz and Birkenau, and get a renewed
appreciation of the tragedy of this dark period of European
history.

-Visit the Bialowieza National
Park and check out the (protected) collection of European
bison, huge beasts that once roamed freely across the
continent.

-Take a trip to the Baltic Coast, and get some world-class spa
treatments at the lovely seaside resort town of Sopot.

Getting to Poland

Direct flights to Poland are easy to find from the UK and US.
Flights to Poland's three main airports of Warsaw, Krakow or Gdansk
are all common. Budget-conscious travellers should note that cheap
flights to Poland are available on a variety of low-cost European
carriers. Get more information on Poland Airports.

Read

The Collected Poems of Zbigniew Herbert, A Minor
Apocalypse by Tadeusz Konwicki, Night by Elie Wiesel,
and The Drowned and the Saved by Primo Levi.

Watch

Schindler's List (1993), The Pianist (2002), Jakob the Liar
(1999), and The Double Life of Véronique (1991).

What to buy

What to pack

When packing for Poland, bear in mind that the weather is highly
changeable. Take a selection of warm and cooler clothing, and make
sure you have a good coat for cold snaps and a lightweight rain
slicker to carry around for unexpected showers.

What's on in Poland

St Dominc's Fair, held in Gdansk in
July and August, is the largest open-air cultural festival in
Poland and one of the oldest celebrations of its kind. The Warsaw
Chamber Opera's Mozart Festival (June and
July) is one of the highlights of Europe's classical music events
calendar, featuring full stage performances of Mozart's most
popular operas. More information on Events in Poland.

Did you know?

-Of all the EU member countries, Poles, on average, marry at the
youngest age.

-Poland can boast 17 Nobel Prize winners, including four Peace
Prizes and five prizes for literature.

-There is a dedicated Pope Channel on Polish TV.

A final word

After years of struggle and hardship, Poland is re-emerging as a
fantastic holiday destination, offering uniquely interesting
historical sites and beautiful natural scenery.

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